Funerals
Celebrating Life
Losing someone that we love can be painful and disorientating. Whilst there can be grief and sadness that they are no longer with us, there can also be happiness that they have lived and comfort in the knowledge that the love they shared remains with us.
Every bereavement is different, there is no right or wrong way to grieve.
As a Humanist Celebrant I will be there alongside you to help create a meaningful and uniquely personal tribute to the life of the one you loved.
Whether you are planning a cremation, burial, green burial, resomation, memorial or pre-planning your own funeral , together we can create a ceremony that can authentically capture the very essence of the individual and how they lived their life.
We can include personal tributes, readings, music or anything that that was important to them. So that we create a ceremony that centres on the personality of the deceased whilst being restorative and calming for those mourning a loss.
After an initial chat what usually happens is that I meet with as many family and friends as is appropriate at the time and check that all the details are correct. We then talk about your loved one and hear the stories of how they lived their life and what made them so special to you. We can discuss whether you would like music, readings or personal tributes included and then I go away and write a draft ceremony, weaving in all those details. I will then send the draft through to you to check and agree. On the day I will arrive early at the venue to ensure that everything is in place and then I will conduct the ceremony that is perfect for you to to celebrate and say farewell to the person you have lost. I will then leave with you a presentation copy of the funeral script.
There are no rules, what matters is creating a ceremony that is right for you, your family and your friends and I will work closely with you and your chosen funeral director to ensure that we do get it right.
More information
For more information or a quiet chat please do get in touch, I very much look forward to hearing from you..
Useful Information
Planning a Celebrant Led Funeral - What Happens Next?
Planning a Celebrant Led Funeral – What Happens Next?
Whether you are planning a cremation, burial, green burial, resomation or memorial or if you are pre-planning your own funeral the process can seem overwhelming at times. I am here to help you navigate unfamiliar territory and to make sure that the ceremony will be everything that you envisage.
Although a Humanist Funeral is grounded in Humanist philosophy it is a very important part of Humanism that everyone feels welcome and included in our ceremonies so whilst the ceremony itself is non-religious we will always welcome people with different faiths and beliefs.
We can break it down to four main elements.
Family Meeting
- · We will arrange a meeting; this is normally next of kin and immediate family but you can have as many family or friends there as is appropriate for you.
- · The aim of this meeting is to gather as much information as possible to create a celebration of the deceased person’s life.
- · I will send you an email with questions for you to consider before the meeting.
- · During the meeting we will go through and check that all the details for the ceremony are correct
- · We will talk about the one that you have loved, I love to hear the stories that made them such an individual and what made them so special to you.
- · We can talk about what you would like the ceremony to achieve. Would you prefer something quiet and reflective? Something loud and full of music – be that classical, heavy rock or something in between? Something amusing or off-beat? Or something else, there are no rules with a funeral only choices.
- · In most funerals we incorporate a period of reflection, a time to spend with your own thoughts. A Humanist funeral is very inclusive and for those with a religious faith this period can be used for quiet prayer.
- · We can discuss music, as a guide there are generally three pieces, one for the entrance, one for the period of reflection and a final piece as you exit however this is simply a guide.
- · We can discuss the inclusion of a personal tribute, poems, prose, or anything that was important to them. I can provide inspiration if you are unsure.
Drafting the Script
- · Following the meeting, I am available to you for any questions or queries.
- · I will draft the ceremony and weave the stories and anecdotes that we shared throughout the script. The music that you have chosen to accompany the entrance, reflection and exit will be put into context and form part of the celebration of life alongside any poems or readings that you have chosen.
- · This initial draft will be sent to you for you and your family to read and discuss and provide any necessary amendments.
The Ceremony
- · On the day of the ceremony, I will arrive at the venue in plenty of time to ensure that everything is in place and I will be there to welcome you and conduct a beautiful handcrafted ceremony as you say farewell.
After the Ceremony
- · Following the Ceremony, I will say goodbye and leave with you a presentation copy of the script. I will also email a copy for you to share.
It is worth remembering that there are no rules with funerals, only choices.
I am passionate about creating a unique, personal, and meaningful tribute to the person at the heart of our ceremony and doing so in a way that is right for you, your family and your friends.
